The effects of epinephrine and chlorpromazine on visual cliff behavior in hooded and albino rats

Abstract

Infant hooded and albino rats were tested on the visual cliff and observed for a 5-min period after receiving injections of epinephrine, chlorpromazine, or a placebo. Hooded animals chose the shallow side of the visual cliff more often than albinos and spent more time on that side. They were also more emotional, as measured by fecal bolus counts. Albinos explored more, as indicated by their higher activity and crossover scores. Epinephrine tended to increase the emotionality of the albinos and markedly facilitated the response of avoiding the deep side of the visual cliff. Strain differences evident in visual cliff behavior were discussed in terms of differences in emotionality rather than ability to perceive depth_